An important Czech writer, playwright, newspaper reporter, translator and philosopher. A leading individual in Czech literature of the literary generation that matured during the period of the First World War. From the age of 21 he suffered from a condition known as ankylosing sponylitis, which perceptibly affected not only his life but also his whole work. From the first time his condition became apparent until his death he was never free from pain, but he learnt to live with it.
Karel Čapek was a very educated person. He studied successively at the Faculty of Philosophy at Charles University in Prague, the Faculty of Philosophy at Friedrich Wilhelm University in Berlin and at the Sorbonne at the Faculte de letrres in Paris. His philosophical and aesthetic education had a great impact on his work. He was primarily influenced by pragmatism and expressionism as well as the scientific-technical revolution. As well as his philosophical orientation, humanism is also very apparent in his work. Čapek’s life and world view were based on humanism. Karel Čapek was known for his opposition towards growing fascism and racism.
Karel Čapek was a friend of T.G. Masaryk, who he held in high regard. His work Conversations with T. G. M. (3 volumes) arose from this friendship as a unique portrayal of Masaryk, his opinions both political and also human.
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here.
Works:
Stories: Krakonos’ Garden, The Brilliant Depths (he worked with his brother Josef on both these works), Crucifixion of God, Stories from a Pocket, Stories from the Other Pocket, Embarrassing Stories
Dramas: Bandit, Pictures From the Insects’ Life (with his brother Josef), R. U. R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), The Makropoulos Affair, The White Disease, Mother, Love, A Fateful Game (with his brother Josef)
Fiction: The Absolute at Large, Krakatit, War With Newts, The First Crew and the fiction trilogy: Hordubal, Meteor, Ordinary Life – this trilogy is one of the most important of his works, his pragmatism manifests itself fully here
Translations: French contemporary poetry
Travel books: Letters from Italy, Letters from England, Letters from Spain, Letters from Holland, Travels in the North
For children: Dashenka or the life of a puppy, Nine Fairy Tales (with his brother Josef)
etc.
Some of his work was transformed into film.